The purpose of this page is to provide IMRO members with regularly updated information and advice regarding Covid-19.
We fully appreciate that this is a difficult and worrying time for you right now. Many of IMRO’s members are self-employed freelancers and small businesses who are reliant on the income that they receive from music licensing. Please be assured that IMRO is doing everything within its power to protect revenue streams for members and affiliates over the coming weeks and months.
Our monthly distribution schedule has been maintained since the start of this crisis. Royalty payments to our members and affiliates continue to be our top priority. We expedited the IMRO radio distribution to a monthly payment schedule with effect from the April 2020 distribution.
Member Distributions: distributions@nullimro.ie
Membership Enquiries: membership@nullimro.ie
IMRO Member Helpdesk: E: covid19support@nullimro.ie P: +353 1 6614844
The entire creative community in Ireland is experiencing an unprecedented level of upheaval right now. Be assured that IMRO is here to help you navigate through these very challenging times.
If you have further questions, that are not covered above, please contact the IMRO Member Covid-19 Support Desk at covid19support@nullimro.ie or 353 1 6614844
Please follow all government advice regarding social distancing. Self isolate and contact your GP by phone if you have any symptoms of Covid-19.
Gov.ie | Updated regularly https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/472f64-covid-19-coronavirus-guidance-and-advice/
The Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht has established a helpline to assist those working in the cultural sector and so for any outstanding queries, email directly at artsunit@nullchg.gov.ie with your question, and include a phone number for a call-back.
HSE Updates | https://www.hse.ie/eng/services/news/newsfeatures/covid19-updates/
Department of Foreign Affairs | https://www.dfa.ie/travel/travel-advice/coronavirus/
The Basic Income for the Arts (BIA), a new pilot of basic income for artists and arts workers is set to open for applications early in 2022.
Supports package of €50m for the Live Performance Sector | The Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, Catherine Martin TD announced additional funding of €50m to support the Live Performance Sector. The supports are in response to the introduction of new restrictions on live performance capacities. Further details available, here: https://imro.ie/industry-news/minister-martin-announces-supports-package-of-e50m-for-the-live-performance-sector/
The Live Performance Support Scheme (LPSS3) will support events due to be staged in December 2021 and January 2022 which had to be curtailed, cancelled or rescheduled due to the imposition of restrictions on audience capacity in live performance to 50% of seated capacity, with all indoor events concluding by 8pm. The objective of this scheme is to co-fund production costs for venues to programme live events in order to generate employment opportunities for artists, musicians, performers and crews. Application forms will be made available on the department’s website at 1pm on Monday 20 December 2021 and the scheme will close for applications at 1pm on Wednesday 19 January 2022. https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/e3843-live-performance-support-scheme-phase-3-guidelines/
The Arts Council bursary supports professional artists at any stage of their career, providing them with the resources and time to engage with their art. The maximum bursary amount was increased by the Arts Council to €20,000 for the award, due to the impact of the pandemic on the sector. The deadline for the next round of bursary applications is 3 February 2022: https://www.artscouncil.ie/Funds/Music-bursary-award/
The Arts Council Touring and Dissemination of Work Scheme | Applications are invited for proposals seeking funding to support touring and dissemination of work across a range of artforms and art practices. This scheme is designed to support the touring and dissemination of work starting between July 2022 and December 2022. The deadline to apply is Thursday 13 January 2022: https://www.artscouncil.ie/funds/Touring-and-dissemination-of-work-scheme/
The Arts Council has announced a €1 million fund to enable artists to make new and original art during the COVID-19 crisis. The scheme, called the Arts Council COVID-19 Crisis Response Award, is designed to support the creation of new artistic work and its dissemination online for the public benefit: http://www.artscouncil.ie/COVID-19/ | Please note this fund is currently closed to new applicants at this time.
Global Relief Fund For Live Music Sector | Live Nation has committed $10 million to Crew Nation – contributing an initial $5 million to the fund, then matching the next $5 million given by artists, fans and employees dollar for dollar: https://www.livenationentertainment.com/crewnation/ Please note this fund is currently closed to new applicants at this time.
International Touring updates and Advice from European Music Exporters Exchange | https://www.europeanmusic.eu/
Bandcamp Fridays: On the first Friday of every month, Bandcamp waive their revenue share for all sales made through the platform. | https://daily.bandcamp.com/features/update-on-bandcamp-fridays
For an up-to-date list of further funding opportunities and deadlines, please visit The Journal of Music at: https://journalofmusic.com/listings/opportunities?term_node_tid_depth=5319
The Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection have a range of measures to provide income support to people affected by COVID-19.
Link >>> Latest updates on COVID-19 from the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection
COVID-19: How to Apply for the Government’s Emergency Unemployment Payment
The COVID -19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment scheme was closed to new applicants in July 2021, but it will reopen for a limited time to support people who lose their employment as a result of the new COVID-19 public health restrictions from Tuesday 7 December 2021.
The COVID-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment (PUP) is open to you if you are an employee or self-employed and lost your job due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
For more information see:
https://www.gov.ie/en/service/be74d3-covid-19-pandemic-unemployment-payment/
You can apply here:
https://services.mywelfare.ie/en/topics/covid-19-payments/covid-19-pandemic-unemployment-payment/
Microenterprises can access COVID-19 loans of up to €50,000 from MicroFinance Ireland. Loans are available at an interest rate of between 6.8% and 7.8%. Businesses can apply through their Local Enterprise Office or directly at microfinanceireland.ie. Eligibility criteria apply. Microfinance Ireland COVID-19 Business Loan FAQs
Enterprise Ireland has a number of supports available to help businesses mitigate the impact of Covid-19: https://www.enterprise-ireland.com/en/about-us/services/covid-19/
Revenue | The following information, guidance and advice is available to assist taxpayers, and their agents, experiencing a range of difficulties caused by the impacts of the COVID-19 virus: https://www.revenue.ie/en/corporate/communications/covid19/index.aspx
In a first of its kind for Ireland’s creative sector, Minding Creative Minds (MCM), a free 24/7 wellbeing support programme for the Irish Music Sector, delivered by Spectrum Life, was launched in response to the pandemic.
The initial phase of Minding Creative Minds, a free 24/7 Wellbeing and support programme goes live for musicians, songwriters, artist managers and event production crew. MCM is a Mental Wellbeing Support Programme and includes access to the following wellbeing services:
In addition to the mental health support system offered, Minding Creative Minds looks at the whole individual resulting in the programme also offering access to a number of additional services structured to help users with various issues they may face such as:
For further details visit: http://mindingcreativeminds.ie/
Need help now? If you or someone you know needs help urgently, please contact:
Pieta House: 1800 247 247
SAMARITANS: 116 123 (ROI & UK)
Messaging Support Service
A new mental health messaging support service is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. It provides in-the-moment anonymous support when you need it most. This service aims to connect you with a trained volunteer in less than 5 minutes. They will listen to you and help you think more clearly, enabling you to know that you can take the next step to feeling better.
Text YMH to 086 1800 280 (Standard SMS rates may apply)
A Lust for Life – For tips on money management, psychological survival and staying calm during COVID-19: https://www.alustforlife.com/
HSE advice on managing your mental health during the coronavirus outbreak: https://www2.hse.ie/wellbeing/mental-health/minding-your-mental-health-during-the-coronavirus-outbreak.html
Music distributor Record Union has launched The Wellness Starter Pack: a toolbox for wellbeing, created with music makers in mind. In a collection of videos and articles, industry experts explore the impact that sleep, nutrition, exercise, mindfulness, and positivity have on artists’ mental health, along with actionable steps forward. www.thewellnessstarterpack.com
Guide to Supporting the Mental Health & Wellbeing of Musicians – https://www.functioncentral.co.uk/mental-health/
The guide covers everything musicians, and those who work with musicians, need to know:
Podcasts
Given the particular difficulties that the creative community might be facing at this time in relation to mental health, We asked Bressie if he would do a special video introduction to his ‘Where is My Mind’ podcast series for our members.
Podcast Links
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2CyjB6oxmOc8nsndBFCOVM
Team Mental Health
Team Mental Health is a specialist organisation dedicated to delivering an expert led, whole organisation approach to mental health and wellbeing. Through online and face to face mental health awareness training, online resources, consultation and the delivery of bespoke mental health strategies we empower individuals and organisations to thrive.
This is a very challenging time for those working in creative industries worldwide. As the loss of touring revenue will be felt greatly, it is vital that artists continue to communicate with their fans in alternative ways and that fans continue to support performers.
During this period of social distancing, restricted live performance opportunities and curtailed audio/video production, now is an ideal opportunity for you to ensure that you are doing everything possible to maximise your membership of IMRO. Providing IMRO with as much detail as possible in relation to all your live performances and music usage in film and TV productions will greatly assist us in tracking your royalties in the most efficient way possible. We have provided some useful information below.
Music Used in Audio Visual Productions
Why does IMRO request notifications of audio visual productions along with corresponding cue sheets?
Submitted cue sheets should be the complete and final cue sheets containing all music used in the production. The cue sheet information identifies the musical works used in the first instance with the corresponding musical works registrations determining how the royalties should be distributed.
IMRO receives cue sheets from various sources and members are encouraged to provide cue sheets for productions in which their music has been commissioned or included.
A full music cue sheet can be obtained from the production company. The complete cue sheet should include all music used in the production, the composer information, and publishers details where published, the music duration and the usage of each cue i.e. featured, background, opening and closing theme etc. To support the cue sheet documentation all musical works used in the production must be registered in full to ensure that royalties can be distributed. Members are encouraged to notify IMRO of a productions release, along with the territories where the production is to be released, if known, so that IMRO can notify the societies in the relevant territories and track the due royalties on behalf of our members.
Music Used in Commercials
If your music has been commissioned or included in a commercial/advertising campaign, then IMRO encourages you to provide us with the relevant details to assist in the distribution of royalties for qualifying performances. This is particularly valuable in terms of advertising campaigns that are exploited internationally, either through mainstream television or radio or via online video on demand or streaming platforms. This information assists IMRO in the tracking of commercial performances overseas to ensure qualifying royalties are distributed accurately and promptly.
Once a commercial has been finalised, you should complete the following steps:
Please note, if the work(s) are already registered with IMRO you can add this additional information to the work details online.
If you have any queries in relation to submitting work details for audio visual productions or commercials please email distributions@nullimro.ie
IMRO Unmatched Performances and Commercials Databases Explained
IMRO’s process for matching performances to works is largely a computer automated one and there are several reasons why member’s works may appear in the IMRO Unmatched Performances or Unmatched Commercials Databases.
These usually are:
Any works that fall into an unmatched category after each distribution are placed in the IMRO Unmatched Performances or Unmatched Commercials Databases.
These databases are made available online to members and other affiliated societies to research to enable them to identify works belonging to them and collect any royalties due.
Members can access these databases through the IMRO Member Portal. This easy-to-use interface enables Members to claim performances as theirs by linking them to musical works in their repertoire (providing, of course, that the works have already been registered correctly with IMRO).
If you have yet to register for online access we would encourage you to do so now at https://members.imro.ie/ and avail of the many benefits.
These include:
IMRO Gig Submissions App
The IMRO App enables you to register your gigs and set lists on-the-go in an efficient and easy way thereby speeding up the process of claiming royalties for your live performances.
Key Features:
The app is available for the most popular iOS and Android smartphones and can be downloaded for free from the iTunes and Google Play stores.
Cherie Hu has shared some very insightful and useful tips around live streaming here.
Facebook have shared information around keeping people safe and informed about COVID-19 as well as a resource for live music broadcast best practises: Facebook and Instagram.
Google and Youtube have some useful tips on live streaming here and have published COVID-19 updates here.
IMRO members Marion McEvoy, Owner/Engineer from Panchord Studio Dublin and multi award winning songwriter, performer and producer Phil Coulter share advice and tips on keeping your studio environment and musical equipment Covid-19 virus free.
Now is as good a time as ever to use your newfound downtime to hone your creative skills, enhance your music industry knowledge and improve your online networking channels.
If you are aware of any other supports or information resources that you think would be of benefit to music creators please contact: membership@nullimro.ie
For Songwriters & Publishers
For Business Owners